Steryl glycosides (SGs) are sterols glycosylated at their 3β-hydroxy group. They are widely distributed in plants, algae, and fungi, but are relatively rare in bacteria and animals. Glycosylation of sterols, resulting in important components of the cell membrane SGs, alters their biophysical properties and confers resistance against stress by freezing or heat shock to cells. Besides, many biological functions in animals have been suggested from the observations of SG administration. Recently, cholesteryl glucosides synthesized via the transglycosidation by glucocerebrosidases (GBAs) were found in the central nervous system of animals. Identification of patients with congenital mutations in GBA genes or availability of respective animal models will enable investigation of the function of such endogenously synthesized cholesteryl glycosides by genetic approaches. In addition, mechanisms of the host immune responses against pathogenic bacterial SGs have partially been resolved. This review is focused on the biological functions of SGs in mammals taking into consideration their therapeutic applications in the future.

中文翻译：

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哺乳动物甾醇苷的结构，代谢和生物学功能

硬脂基糖苷（SGs）是在其3β-羟基处被糖基化的固醇。它们广泛分布在植物，藻类和真菌中，但在细菌和动物中相对较少。固醇的糖基化会导致细胞膜SG的重要组成部分改变其生物物理特性，并通过对细胞的冷冻或热激作用而赋予抗逆性。此外，从SG施用的观察中已经提出了动物的许多生物学功能。最近，在动物的中枢神经系统中发现了通过葡糖脑苷脂酶（GBA）的转糖苷作用合成的胆固醇糖苷。鉴定具有GBA基因先天性突变的患者或可利用的各个动物模型将能够通过遗传方法研究这种内源性合成的胆固醇基糖苷的功能。另外，针对病原性细菌SG的宿主免疫应答的机制已经部分解决。考虑到它们在未来的治疗应用，本综述着重研究SG在哺乳动物中的生物学功能。